Duke of Cambridge will carry out a series of public and private engagements
with his wife Catherine, focusing on efforts to prevent suicide and to
support those bereaved by suicide

Prince William is to voice his fears over the increasing incidence of mental health problems suffered by young people, drawing on his experience as an air ambulance pilot dealing with a number of suicide attempts.

The Duke of Cambridge will carry out a series of public and private engagements with his wife Catherine on Thursday, focusing on efforts to prevent suicide and to support those bereaved by suicide.

The couple will visit St Thomas’ Hospital, in south London followed by a screening of a documentary about mental illness at Kensington Palace.

But it is becoming increasingly clear the issue is also at the forefront of her husband’s concerns.

Early in his career as a helicopter pilot for the East Anglian Air Ambulance Prince William was called out to a young man whose despair had driven him to try and take his own life. Despite the efforts of the crew the young man died.

Prince William checks his helicopter while working for the East Anglian Air Ambulance last year

The Duke ‘s involvement in several other rescue missions involving suicide attempts intensified his concern about the issue, although it is understood it was originally prompted by a wave of stories about young gay men who had taken their own lives.

He has also become increasingly aware of depression and other problems facing young people through his work with the homelessness charity Centrepoint.

A Kensington Palace spokesman said: “The Duke and Duchess and Prince Harry are making mental health a major focus of their work in the year ahead.

“The Duke of Cambridge is particularly keen to better understand the difficult issues around suicide, bullying, and the mental health of young men. These are issues he has been exposed to both in his official work with homelessness charities and in his work as an air ambulance pilot.”

The Duke will be joined by with his wife Catherine for the engagements Photo: Getty

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will take part in a series of activities with young people at the palace organised by the charity Rethink Mental Illness, highlighting the importance of suicide prevention.

The charity works to change attitudes to mental illness and supports 60,000 people in England every year who have suffered from a mental breakdown or crisis in their lives.

Thursday's events will included the screening of a Channel 4 documentary Stranger on the Bridge, about Jonny Benjamin, whose life was saved by a stranger in 2008, as he contemplated jumping off Waterloo Bridge.

Jonny Benjamin (Heathcliff O'Malley for The Telegraph)

After receiving help, Mr Benjamin, who suffered from schizoid affective disorder as teenager, leading him to hear voices and suffer delusions, launched a campaign called #FindMike, together with Rethink Mental Illness, to find the man who saved him.

The 28-year-old, said: “I am so honoured to take part in this event to raise awareness about suicide prevention. Every day in Britain 17 families lose a father, brother, mother or sister to suicide. It is vital that every school includes mental health education to help prevent future tragedies.”

Following the screening William and Catherine will join a private discussion with a group who have lost loved ones to suicide to discuss their experiences and the support they have received since.

The Duchess has spoken publicly about her concern over mental health issues, particularly regarding young people.